Swept at Tropicana Field in May, the Marlins look to even the "Citrus Series" at home.

From May 19-21, the Marlins' season reached its lowest point when they were swept in three-game series for the first time ever by the Devil Rays. Two of those contests were agonizing defeats, as they blew leads in the ninth and lost on walk-off home runs.

 

At that time, the Marlins was mired in a seven-game losing streak and their record fell to 11-31.

 

The Marlins have been rolling along since. They completed a 3-3 Interleague road trip through Baltimore and New York, splitting a doubleheader with the Yankees on Sunday.

 

On Monday night, a much improved Marlins' squad opens a three-game set at Dolphin Stadium. Since the game will be in a National League park, pitchers will be batting in this Interleague series.

 

A year ago, the Marlins won all six games against their state rivals. But in the ninth season of the series, this matchup is still in the process of reaching "rivalry status."

 

"It's good to see them again," Marlins manager Joe Girardi said. "It's good for baseball."

 

First-year Devil Rays manager Joe Maddon says it is difficult to develop a rivalry facing a squad six times a year.

 

"I mean, you play the Yankees 19, the Red Sox 19, the teams you play more often within your division, it's a more natural rivalry situation than somebody you see sporadically and it's in a different league entirely," Maddon said.

 

What is different now than the first meeting of these clubs in May, is both squads have a different look.

 

Back in May, Tampa Bay was without two productive hitters, Jorge Cantu and Rocco Baldelli.

 

"It's a different team," Girardi said. "The one thing they won't have is that extra hitter [designated hitter] in the lineup."

 

"Right now we've got everyone healthy," Maddon said. "And we're swinging the bats well. I wouldn't put it just on Interleague Play. We're starting to play good baseball."

 

The Marlins are a more settled team now as well. A major difference from a month ago is the starters are throwing better and the bullpen is more established.

 

"We were in the midst of a road trip from you know where," Girardi said of when the Marlins were in their seven-game losing streak. "Since then, it's been really good."

 

This series will feature some of the top young pitchers in the game.

 

On Monday, Marlins right-hander Josh Johnson is 6-4 with a 2.01 ERA. Rays right-hander James Shields is 4-0 (3.00).

 

Tuesday's contest also matches up some fine young pitchers, as Florida's Ricky Nolasco draws Rays' lefty Scott Kazmir, who pitched eight shutout innings in a win over Florida on May 21.

 

Kazmir feels over time, the series will gain more attention and intensity.

 

"It could be," Kazmir said. "I can see that being a rivalry. If we keep playing each other and have a lot of games played against each other."

 

Pitching matchup

 

 

FLA: RHP Josh Johnson (6-4, 2.01)

By being rained out on Saturday at Yankee Stadium, Johnson was pushed back two days, causing the team to shuffle the rotation. Even though the right-hander didn't throw a pitch on Saturday, he was completely warmed up and loose. Johnson has won two straight decisions, giving up two runs in 11 2/3 innings in that span. He will be pitching eight days between starts.

 

TB: RHP James Shields (4-0, 3.00)

In his last outing, Shields became the first Rays pitcher in history to begin his Major League career 4-0 by allowing just two runs off four hits over seven innings against Arizona. He's been on a tear since promoted from Triple-A Durham in May, winning his last four straight starts and lowering his ERA six full points. The right-hander had a 16-inning stretch over three starts where he allowed no runs to drop his ERA from 9.00, where it was after allowing five runs in his first start of the season. He has yet to face the Marlins.

 

Interleague by the numbers: All-time Record vs. Devil Rays: 29-20.

Marlins vs. Rays in 2006: 0-3.

All-time club Interleague records: 93-69.

 

 

Player to watch

Speedy Devil Rays outfielder Carl Crawford brings a .310 batting average, plus 10 homers, 37 RBIs and 26 stolen bases into Dolphin Stadium.

 

On the Internet

MLB.TV

Gameday Audio

? Gameday

? Official game notes

 

On television

? FSN

 

On radio

? 560 WQAM, 1140 WQBA(Espa?ol)

 

Up next

? Tuesday: Devil Rays (LHP Scott Kazmir, 6-3, 3.21) at Marlins (RHP Ricky Nolasco, 5-4, 3.15), 7:05 p.m. ET

? Wednesday: Devil Rays (LHP Casey Fossum, 2-3, 5.25) at Marlins (LHP Scott Olsen, 6-3, 4.60), 7:05 p.m. ET

? Thursday: Off-day

 

 

LET'S WIN THIS ONE!

If the Fish don't sweep here, I will be upset. And I know that's not fair expectations, but I really think we need to do this.

If the Fish don't sweep here, I will be upset. And I know that's not fair expectations, but I really think we need to do this.

 

 

That's asking a lot. We have to face Kazmir, Shields is pitching well, Crawford and Huff are hitting much better than when we last faced them, and they have Cantu and Baldelli back from the DL. I think we can win the series... sweep? I wouldn't count on it. Let's hope they prove me wrong, though.

Lets go Fish! Do good while ole Todd here is on the road

:marlins

 

 

The Marlins must overcome the Walansky jinx tonight....LETS GO FISH!!!

Let do this for Kensing and Messenger

REVENGE!!! :dwarf

I want a Birthday win!!!

No Uggla :crying . Lets go Marlins!!

We need to win the games Kazmir isnt pitching.

 

Great win by the Fish last nite though. Clutch.

 

 

 

Who do you think starts on Friday night?

The way both rotations have been pitching, we will probably see low scoring games.

Go Fish!

Go Fish!

 

ditto :thumbup

I am going to call it right now:

 

 

The biggest difference maker in this series will be the bullpens.

I am going to call it right now:

 

 

The biggest difference maker in this series will be the bullpens.

 

Kazmir doesn't really go too deep, he lasts maybe 100 pitches so we really need to make him work. Shields is also new, we need to try and force their pen into it cause unlike last time, our pen can now hold.

We have to make Shields pitch. He only pitches about 100 pitches and usually goes 5/6 innings.

The Marlins must overcome the Walansky jinx tonight....LETS GO FISH!!!

 

:lol *nervous*

 

If the fish lose tonight, I'm in trouble.

Was the lineup posted?

Looks like Gomes wont be playing today or this series because of a shoulder injury that doesnt let him throw.

That's great news for the fish.

Gomes will be eligible to pinch hit though

The Marlins must overcome the Walansky jinx tonight....LETS GO FISH!!!

 

:lol *nervous*

 

If the fish lose tonight, I'm in trouble.

 

 

WTF? You are going to be at the game tonight *throws a fit* Its a loss tonight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

:hat

 

 

 

Looks like Gomes wont be playing today or this series because of a shoulder injury that doesnt let him throw.

 

 

Let him play :thumbup

:marlins

 

Lets get some sweep revenge

:marlins

 

Lets get some sweep revenge

 

ISWYDT

:marlins

 

Lets get some sweep revenge

 

ISWYDT

:lol

gonna be a good game tonight.

 

LETS GO MARLINS!!!!!